Anatomical masking patch

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a flexible contoured masking patch to conceal female anatomical features. In various embodiments, the masking patch may include a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width, wherein the second width is less than the first width and the second end terminates in a point. The masking patch may include one or more flexible materials, which may facilitate adapting to a variety of surface contours. The masking patch may include a smooth surface and an adhering surface, wherein the adhering surface is configured to adhere to a portion of female anatomical features.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Design patent application No.29/708,260, filed Oct. 4, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. Designpatent application No. 29/601,983, filed Apr. 27, 2017, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of anatomy maskingpatches. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to flexible,contoured masking patches to conceal features of female anatomy.

Often, clothing and other garments may fit closely with anatomicalfeatures, making said features visible therethrough. Frequently, suchvisibility of anatomical features is unwanted and often deemedunflattering (e.g., “camel toe”). In some cases, avoiding fabric and/orclothing types may reduce exposure or visibility; however, thispotential solution may be restrictive and burdensome.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a flexible, contouredmasking patch that may adapt to and conceal a broad range of femaleanatomical regions or a portion thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a masking patch having aflexible patch body sized, which is configured for positioning on afemale body to cover a female anatomical area, a smooth outer surface ofthe patch body, and an inner surface of the patch body comprising anadhesive material.

In various embodiments, the flexible patch is contoured/concave to fitto the female body. In some embodiments, the flexible patch body has afirst end and a second end, the first end having a first width and thesecond end having a second width, and wherein the second width is lessthan the first width. In various embodiments, wherein the second endterminates in a point. In some embodiments, the flexible patch bodycomprises a middle portion disposed between the first end and the secondend, and wherein a third width associated with the middle portion isgreater than each of the first width and the second width.

In various embodiments, the patch body is made of silicone. In someembodiments, the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In someembodiments, the masking patch further includes an adhesive cover layerto protect the adhesive before use. In various embodiments, the adhesivecover layer is plastic. In various embodiments, the patch body and theadhesive material are waterproof.

In various embodiments, the patch body is customizable to a plurality ofsizes. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the patch body isconfigured for one or more reapplications to an application surface suchthat the masking patch is reusable.

Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method of using amasking patch including: obtaining a masking patch, positioning themasking patch relative to a female body to cover a female anatomicalarea, and securing the masking patch to the female body by applying theadhesive on the inner surface of the patch body to the female body. Themasking patch includes a flexible patch body sized and configured forpositioning on a female body to cover a female anatomical area, a smoothouter surface of the patch body, and an inner surface of the patch bodycomprising an adhesive material.

In various embodiments, the flexible patch is contoured/concave to fitto the female body. In some embodiments, the flexible patch body has afirst end and a second end, the first end having a first width and thesecond end having a second width, and wherein the second width is lessthan the first width. In various embodiments, the second end terminatesin a point. In various embodiments, the flexible patch body comprises amiddle portion disposed between the first end and the second end, andwherein a third width associated with the middle portion is greater thaneach of the first width and the second width.

In various embodiments, the method further includes customizing thepatch body to adapt to a size of an anatomical feature. In someembodiments, the method further includes removing patch body and storingfor reuse. In various embodiments, the method includes washing the maskbody.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting thepresent disclosure, and of the construction and operation of typicalmechanisms provided with the present disclosure, will become morereadily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and thereforenon-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying andforming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate the same elements in the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a contoured masking patch showinga female anatomy masking patch, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the masking patch of FIG. 1,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the masking patch of FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the masking patch of FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a right view of the masking patch of FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the masking patch of FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the masking patch of FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of the maskingpatch of FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in awide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and made part of this disclosure.

Referring generally to the figures, a masking patch having a patch bodyis shown, which is configured for application and adherence to a femaleanatomical region to conceal or obfuscate features therein. The maskingpatch may be worn beneath clothing or other garments by a user havingfemale anatomy. The patch body may comprise one or more flexiblematerials, which enable the masking patch to conform to a range ofvariable anatomical features. The patch body may be further comprised ofone or more durable, biocompatible materials to facilitate repeated usewithout degradation and/or irritation within the application region.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, front and rear perspectiveviews, respectively, of a masking patch 100 are shown, according to anexemplary embodiment. As illustrated, the masking patch 100 has a maskbody having a first end 105 and a second end 110, and two opposing outerand inner surfaces 115 and 120, respectively. In various embodiments,the masking patch 100 may be made of one or more flexible materials,including, but not limited to, silicone and medical grade silicone. Invarious embodiments, the first end 105 is configured for applicationwithin a top portion of an anatomical region and the second end 110 isconfigured for application within a bottom portion of the anatomicalregion. Furthermore, the inner surface 120 is configured for applicationto the anatomical region and the outer surface 115 is configured to faceoutwardly from the anatomical region. In various embodiments, the outersurface 115 may interface with or be in contact with an inner surface ofclothing or other garments present within an area surrounding theanatomical region. In various embodiments, outer and inner surfaces 115and 120 may comprise the same or different materials. In variousembodiments, outer and inner surfaces 115 and 120 may be defined by oneor more laminated layers. In various embodiments, the outer surface 115may have a smooth surface having low friction or frictionlessproperties. In various embodiments, the inner surface 120 may haveand/or include one or more materials having adhering or adhesiveproperties, which enable application and adherence of the masking patch100 to the anatomical region. In various embodiments, a thickness of themasking patch 100, defined between the outer and inner surfaces 115 and120, may vary depending on a use application of the masking patch. Invarious embodiments, a thicker masking patch 100 may be implemented toprovide complete concealment of features within the anatomical region.In some embodiments, a thinner masking patch 100 may be implemented toprovide partial concealment or obfuscation of features within theanatomical region. In various embodiments, a thickness of the maskingpatch 100 may vary throughout the masking patch (e.g., greater thicknessnear second end 110 and lesser thickness near first end 105).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show front and rear views, respectively, of the maskingpatch 100, according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated, thepatch body of the masking patch 100 may have a tear drop or almond-likeshape. As shown, the first end 105 of the masking patch 100 may have afirst width 125 defined between two outer edges of the masking patch.The second end 100 may similarly have a second width 130 defined betweenthe two outer edges of the masking patch. In various embodiments, thefirst width 125 may be greater than the second width 130. In variousembodiments, the outer edges of the masking patch 100 may be rounded. Invarious embodiments, the outer edges of the masking patch 100 may berounded at the first end 105 and/or the second end 110. In variousembodiments, the second end 110 may be rounded or may terminate in apoint. In various embodiments, the first width 125 and the second width130 may be substantially equal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the masking patch 100 may include a middle region133, which is disposed between the first end 105 and the second end 110.The middle region 133 may have a third width 135 defined between twoouter edges of the masking patch. In various embodiments, the thirdwidth 135 may be substantially equal to at least one of the first width125 and the second width 130. In various embodiments, the third width135 may be greater than one or both of the first width 125 and thesecond width 130. In various embodiments, at least one of the firstwidth 125, second width 130, and the third width 135 may be determinedbased on a size and/or features of the anatomical region (e.g., 2.5 in,3 in, 3.5 in, etc.). In various embodiments, a distance between thefirst end 105 and the second end 110 may be determined based on a sizeand/or features of the anatomical region (e.g., 3.25 in, 3.5 in, 4 in,etc.). The masking patch 100 may be available in various sizes, forexample, original, petite, and swim sizes, for use based on anindividual's size and/or features of the anatomical region, or use ofthe masking patch 100.

FIGS. 5-7 show side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of the maskingpatch 100, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the maskingpatch 100 may flex or displace between the first end 105 and the secondend 100. As illustrated, the masking patch 100 may flex within themiddle region 133. The middle region 133 may displace in a directionaway from a vertical axis 150 defined between the first end 105 and thesecond end 110, forming a concave portion. Displacement of the middleregion 133 may facilitate adaptation of the masking patch 100 to theanatomical region. In various embodiments, the masking patch 100 may beconfigured to stretch, elongate, or otherwise displace between any twoouter edges of the masking patch 100. In some embodiments, the maskingpatch 100 may be elongate such that a distance between the first end 105and the second end 110 increases. In various embodiments, the maskingpatch 100 may be made from a selection of flexible materials, whereinthe selected material may determine a range of displacement, flex,stretch, elongation, and/or curvature of the masking patch 100.

In various embodiments, the inner surface 120 of the masking patch 100may include one or more adhesive materials to facilitate application oradherence to the anatomical region. In various embodiments, the one ormore adhesive materials may include, but are not limited topressure-sensitive adhesives (e.g., specialized acrylics). In someembodiments, the masking patch 100 may be applied to the anatomicalregion using commercially available silicone adhesives, including, butnot limited to Pros-Aide®, Skin Tite™, etc. In various embodiments, theinner surface 120 and/or adhesive included therein may be waterproof orwater resistant. In various embodiments, the inner surface 120 may bewashed (e.g., using soap and water) without degradation of its adhesiveor adhering properties such that the masking patch 100 may be re-appliedto the anatomical region for reuse.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of masking patch 100 taken alongline 10-10, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the maskingpatch 100 may have one or more layers 155, wherein an outer layer 160defines the outer surface 115 and an inner layer 165 defines the innersurface 120. In various embodiments, the outer layer 160 may be a smoothor frictionless material. In various embodiments, the outer layer 160may be surface treated to have a smooth or frictionless surface. Invarious embodiments, the inner layer 165 may be an adhesive layer, whichenables application of the masking path 100 to the anatomical region. Invarious embodiments, the masking patch 100 may have any number oflayers. In various embodiments, one or more of the layers may besilicone or silicone-based. In various embodiments, the one or morelayers of the masking patch 100 may be water resistant or water proof.

In various embodiments, the masking patch 100 may include a cover layerdetachably coupled to the inner surface 120. The cover may protect theinner surface 120 and prevent disadvantageous adherence of the innersurface 120 to any other surface or region besides the anatomicalregion. The cover may be removed from the masking patch 100 to enablethe inner surface 120 to adhere to the anatomical region.

Prior to use, the masking patch 100 may be customized to adapt to afemale anatomical region. In various embodiments, the customization mayinclude, but is not limited to, determining or changing a distancebetween the first end 105 and the second end 110, determining orchanging a thickness of the masking patch 100, and/or adjusting at leastone of the first width, second width, and third width. In variousembodiments, the masking patch 100 may be provided to a wearer invarious sizes. In various embodiments, the masking patch 100 may bedecoupled from a cover on the inner surface 120 and positioned near adesired anatomical region. The masking patch 100 may then be applied tothe anatomical region by applying a pressure to the masking patch 100.In various embodiments, the masking patch 100 may be applied to theanatomical region by applying an adhesive between the inner surface 120and the anatomical region. After a period of use (e.g., 2 hours, 10hours, 40 hours, etc.), the masking patch 100 may be removed from theanatomical region. The masking patch 100 may be subsequently cleaned orwashed (e.g., using soap and water) and readied for later use. Invarious embodiments, the cover may be re-applied or re-coupled to theinner surface 120 of the masking patch 100 after it has been cleaned orwashed.

Notwithstanding the embodiments described above in reference to FIGS.1-8, various modifications and inclusions to those embodiments arecontemplated and considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

It is also to be understood that the construction and arrangement of theelements of the systems and methods as shown in the representativeembodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled inthe art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed.

Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Any means-plus-function clause isintended to cover the structures described herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalentstructures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissionsmay be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of thepreferred and other illustrative embodiments without departing fromscope of the present disclosure or from the scope of the appendedclaims.

Furthermore, functions and procedures described above may be performedby specialized equipment designed to perform the particular functionsand procedures. The functions may also be performed by general-useequipment that executes commands related to the functions andprocedures, or each function and procedure may be performed by adifferent piece of equipment with one piece of equipment serving ascontrol or with a separate control device.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Similarly, unless otherwise specified, the phrase “basedon” should not be construed in a limiting manner and thus should beunderstood as “based at least in part on.” Furthermore, in thoseinstances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the senseone having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “asystem having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not belimited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” Further, unless otherwisenoted, the use of the words “approximate,” “about,” “around,”“substantially,” etc., mean plus or minus ten percent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A masking patch comprising: a flexible patch bodysized and configured for positioning on a female body to cover a femaleanatomical area; a smooth outer surface of the patch body; and an innersurface of the patch body comprising an adhesive material.
 2. Themasking patch of claim 1, wherein the patch body is contoured to fit tothe female body.
 3. The masking patch of claim 1, wherein the patch bodyhas a first end and a second end, the first end having a first width andthe second end having a second width, and wherein the second width isless than the first width.
 4. The masking patch of claim 3, wherein thesecond end terminates in a point.
 5. The masking patch of claim 3,wherein the patch body comprises a middle portion disposed between thefirst end and the second end, and wherein a third width associated withthe middle portion is greater than each of the first width and thesecond width.
 6. The masking patch of claim 1, wherein the patch body ismade of silicone.
 7. The masking patch of claim 1, wherein the adhesiveis a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
 8. The masking patch of claim 1,further comprising an adhesive cover layer to protect the adhesivebefore use.
 9. The making patch of claim 8, wherein the adhesive coverlayer is plastic.
 10. The masking patch of claim 1, wherein the patchbody and the adhesive material are waterproof.
 11. The masking patch ofclaim 1, wherein the patch body is customizable to a plurality of sizes.12. The masking patch of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the patchbody is configured for one or more reapplications to an applicationsurface such that the masking patch is reusable.
 13. A method of using amasking patch comprising: obtaining a masking patch, the masking patchcomprising: a patch body sized and configured for positioning on afemale body to cover a female anatomical area; a smooth outer surface ofthe patch body; and an inner surface of the patch body comprising anadhesive material; positioning the masking patch relative to a femalebody to cover a female anatomical area; and securing the masking patchto the female body by applying the adhesive on the inner surface of thepatch body to the female body.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thepatch body is contoured to fit to the female body.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the patch body has a first end and a second end, thefirst end having a first width and the second end having a second width,and wherein the second width is less than the first width.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the second end terminates in a point. 17.The method of claim 15, wherein the patch body comprises a middleportion disposed between the first end and the second end, and wherein athird width associated with the middle portion is greater than each ofthe first width and the second width.
 18. The method of claim 13,further comprising customizing the patch body to adapt to a size of ananatomical feature.
 19. The method of claim 13, further comprisingremoving the patch body from the female body and storing for reuse. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising washing the mask body.